Full Notification

Small Business Administration / Flood Disaster Assistance for March Flooding

On Thursday, March 14, 2019, 1 ½ to 2 inches of rainfall occurred over portions of West Michigan. Combined with the 4 – 6 inches of moisture contained within the snow pack that released all at once and limited by significant frozen ground cover, some residents os Osceola County experienced significant flooding.

Although our local flooding in Osceola only affected a few homes, Newaygo County experienced flooding significant enough to result in a Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration. As a contiguous county, Osceola County residents and businesses are eligible for SBA Disaster Assistance.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans:
Osceola County is located in an approved SBA declared disaster area, which opens up low-interest disaster recovery loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses to help repair or replace disaster damaged property.

Under SBA, Renters and homeowners alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

SBA loans may not be used to upgrade homes or make additions unless as required by local building authority/code. Loans may be increased up to 20 percent of the total amount of physical loss, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.

Secondary homes or vacation properties are not eligible for these loans. However, qualified rental properties may be eligible for assistance under our business loan program.

Any proceeds from insurance coverage the property or home will be deducted from the total damage to the property to determine the loan amount they are eligible for. SBA is not permitted to duplicate any benefits.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the loan program and help individuals complete their applications. The center is located at the Fremont City Recreation Center at 201 E Maple Street, in Fremont MI 49412. The Center will open starting Saturday, April 6, 2019.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 3, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 6, 2020.

Attached are several resources to explain the SBA assistance available, filing deadlines, and other essential information. Further information will be issued by Osceola County Emergency Management via Nixle.